Nanny charged in death of 3-year-old child found in pond – NBC10 Philadelphia

A nanny is now facing charges after police determined she was distracted by her cellphone while the 3-year-old child in her care disappeared and was eventually found dead in a Chester County park, investigators said.

Imani Lewis, 28, of Richmond, Virginia, was arrested Friday, September 13, and charged with manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child.

On September 2, 2024, at approximately 6:50 p.m., police responded to a report of a missing 3-year-old non-speaking child at Wilson Farm Park in Tredyffrin Township, Pennsylvania. Investigators said Lewis, who was the child's nanny, called 911. Police searched the park before discovering the child unconscious in a retention pond.

The officers pulled the child out of the water and administered first aid. However, the child was later pronounced dead.

Investigators said surveillance video shows Lewis becoming distracted, calling and texting several people while the child was playing in the park and eventually disappeared.

“This is a devastating death for the victim's family,” said Tredyffrin Police Chief Michael Beaty. “Our entire community has felt the impact of this.”

Lewis was arraigned and bail was set at $100,000. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 26, 2024. Online court records do not list legal counsel who could speak on her behalf.

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